IKEA Malm drawers won’t be recalled despite deaths

One of IKEA’s most popular cabinets will not be recalled in the UK and Ireland despite being involved in the deaths of three toddlers in the USA.

The Swedish furniture store has confirmed that while they will be recalling millions of the Malm drawers in America, they will still continue to sell the product in the UK and Ireland.

A spokesperson for IKEA said: “To confirm, we are not recalling any chest of drawers in the UK and Ireland.

“Today, IKEA US and IKEA Canada will launch a local recall of chests of drawers in North America only. The recall is based on the local voluntary ASTM standard, which is applicable in North America. IKEA chests of drawers meet all mandatory stability requirements on all markets where sold.”

Child deaths

The US recall was announced on Monday following the death of 22-month-old Ted McGee who was crushed to death when the Malm drawers fell on top of him.

McGee is the third US toddler to have died in an accident involving the Malm drawers. In Feburary 2014 Curren Collas from Pennsylvania was crushed by the drawers, followed three months later by a 23 month old boy in Washington.

IKEA have issued a statement about the safety of the drawers urging parents to follow the instruction manual carefully and to ensure they anchor the drawers to the wall.

‘Drawers are safe’

A spokesperson said: “IKEA chests of drawers are safe when anchored to the wall per the assembly instruction, using the tip over restraint provided with the product. Accidents related to furniture tipping over is a serious home safety issue for the entire home furnishing industry and IKEA is committed to take the lead in addressing this challenge.”

Mum of two, Kellie Curtis, criticised the store not flagging up the risks associated with leaving the drawers free-standing after her daughter Evie-Mai was rushed to hospital when the drawers fell on top of her.

Speaking to The Sun she said: “This has put me off IKEA for good and I think that they need to make the drawers safer. I really want to stress that they really do need to be fixed to the wall to avoid something like this happening.”